because that’s what was expected of her.
It felt like she had a foot in two worlds, and she suspected Ajax felt the same. On the one hand, they had this magnetic attraction that demanded attention and would not be abated. In that world, they would figure out a way to stay together back in the States. Continue this exploration. See if it could grow into more.
But that was an alternate universe. In the real world, she had obligations and family who would never support her entering into a relationship with Ajax. He wouldn’t live up to her mother’s standards. He might be able to sweet-talk her mother into liking him if he weren’t in a relationship with Serena, but if Serena brought him home as her boyfriend? Ha. Her mother would have a heart attack.
Ajax couldn’t possibly understand any of that reality, but on some level—she could tell by the look in his eyes—he did understand that this was a whirlwind experience that would end as soon as this mission was over.
When he rocked against her again, he cupped her face. “You’re so damn sexy,” he whispered. “So responsive. There’s so much to unlock. I want you to have the world. Promise me no matter what happens, you will never settle for less than everything. You deserve a lifetime of pleasure and happiness.”
“Ajax…” She was too choked up to respond. She realized it was more than just the fact that they came from two different worlds. It wasn’t simply that he didn’t think he could fit into hers. He wasn’t sure he would live through this mission.
Suddenly, it felt imperative to take this further. Time was of the essence. She wanted him in all ways. If there was even the slightest chance something might happen to him before the end of the week, she didn’t want to look back and wish he’d claimed her completely.
She wanted him inside her. She wanted to know all the things he said she was missing. “Show me,” she begged, lifting her hips up to rub against him intentionally.
She grabbed at his shirt, trying to pull it over his head. She wanted him naked, his flesh against hers. Desperation drove her.
He let her pull his shirt off, but when she frantically explored his chest and abs and back and then reached for his pants, he grabbed one of her wrists and stopped her, bringing it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles. “Hey. What’s up? Slow down. What went through your head just now?”
She swallowed. “You said there’s more. I want to know all of it. Show me. Do it.”
He frowned. “Not all in one night, baby.”
“Why not? You have somewhere else to be?”
His brow furrowed further as he tried to understand her urgency. She’d rather not discuss it, just do it. “I’m right where I want to be, holding the sweetest woman I’ve ever had in my arms. I’m beyond content that she gifted me with two fucking amazing orgasms.”
“You say that like I gave them to you. I did not reciprocate. It’s my turn.”
He smiled and shook his head, gripping her hand and holding it between them. “Not tonight. There’s no rush. I’ve overloaded your brain for one day. You practically went into shock.”
She shook her head. “I’m over it. Make love to me.”
“No.” He kissed her gently. “Not tonight. Feel free to explain this frantic panic though.”
A tear fell. Totally irrational and unbidden. Suddenly, it all felt overwhelming. The two of them together in freaking Ethiopia, traveling across the country under the radar to rescue two of his SEAL team members.
She wasn’t a SEAL. She was a regular citizen. And she was falling for this amazing man who had captivated her from the moment she’d seen him and kept dragging her deeper and deeper into his life.
She wanted to stay up all night, have sex five times, talk about everything. She wanted to know every detail about him. What were his favorite foods? Music? Movies? What did he like on his pizza?
What if he died and she didn’t know what he liked on his pizza?
“Serena? You’re scaring me.”
She shoved him off her—which he permitted—and turned the tables, flattening him to his back, coming over him, straddling him. She didn’t even care that she was naked. Well, sort of. She ignored it.
She’d meant to force him to look at her while she asked him all the things. When she planted her palms on his pecs, she leaned forward, but then she gasped because